“By working closely with our customers to deliver fleet solutions that lower emissions we help them ensure they deliver real value for money, and limit costs for local taxpayers.

“By recharging the vehicles from the energy recovery facility, this approach also show how local authorities and the public sector can drive sustainability and use green energy to address their environmental challenges.”

All-electric bin lorries will extend fleet’s lifetime

The rubbish collection lorries were in need of replacing, according to Veolia, and will have their lifetime extended by the conversion.

Publicly-run innovation fund Innovate UK has backed the trial with a £1.7m grant that will enable the lorries to run for two years.

Energy used by the first two vehicles to be rolled out in Sheffield will initially come from the company’s energy recovery facility in the same city.

Veolia claims it sends enough households waste to the site to power more than 22,600 homes.

Two more diesel bin lorries in London are also eventually set for an all-electric conversion as part of the scheme.

It is expected that the lorries will have enough power to climb 25% gradient hills, even when fully loaded, once they have been moved over to electric power.

The vehicles will also be able to run for a full day’s shift before needing to be recharged, according to BusinessGreen.